Rhode Island holidays 2026
Rhode Island observes 13 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 11 federal holidays and 2 Rhode Island-specific holidays. Rhode Island moves a holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday to the following Monday (R.I. Gen. Laws 25-1-1), never to the Friday before. Federal offices still use the federal observed dates.
Federal holidays observed in Rhode Island
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jan 19 | Mon | Martin Luther King Jr. Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Feb 16 | Mon | Washington's Birthday Federal holiday | — | Officially "Washington's Birthday" (federal name: "Presidents' Day"). |
| May 25 | Mon | Memorial Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Jun 19 | Fri | Juneteenth National Freedom Day Federal holiday | — | Officially "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" (federal name: "Juneteenth National Independence Day"). |
| Jul 4 | Sat | Independence Day Federal holiday | Mon, Jul 6 | |
| Sep 7 | Mon | Labor Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Oct 12 | Mon | Columbus Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 11 | Wed | Veterans Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Nov 26 | Thu | Thanksgiving Day Federal holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day Federal holiday | — |
Dates computed from the governing statutes and last verified October 3, 2026. Years beyond officially published schedules are projected from the rule that sets the date.
Rhode Island state holidays
Paid days off for Rhode Island state employees that are not federal holidays. Post offices, federal offices and most banks stay open on these days.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10 | Mon | Victory Day State holiday | — | Second Monday in August (R.I.G.L. 25-1-1); Rhode Island is the only state that observes it. A 2026 bill (H7781) proposed renaming it 'Peace and Remembrance Day' |
| Nov 3 | Tue | General Election Day State holiday | — | 'Each year in which a general election of state officers is held' (even years) |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Mon | Groundhog Day Observance | — | |
| Feb 8 | Sun | Super Bowl Sunday Observance | — | |
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Feb 18 | Wed | Ash Wednesday Religious observance | — | |
| Mar 8 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Begins Observance | — | |
| Mar 17 | Tue | St. Patrick's Day Observance | — | |
| Mar 29 | Sun | Palm Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Apr 1 | Wed | April Fools' Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday Religious observance | — | |
| Apr 15 | Wed | Tax Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 22 | Wed | Earth Day Observance | — | |
| May 4 | Mon | Rhode Island Independence Day Observance | — | Listed in R.I.G.L. 25-1-1 but state offices remain open |
| May 5 | Tue | Cinco de Mayo Observance | — | |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| May 16 | Sat | Armed Forces Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 14 | Sun | Flag Day Observance | — | |
| Jun 21 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 11 | Fri | Patriot Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 13 | Sun | National Grandparents Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 17 | Thu | Constitution Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — | |
| Nov 1 | Sun | Daylight Saving Time Ends Observance | — | |
| Nov 30 | Mon | Cyber Monday Observance | — | |
| Dec 7 | Mon | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Observance | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Kwanzaa Observance | — |
Long weekends in Rhode Island, 2026
What closes
State offices, courts and driver-license offices close on the paid state holidays above; most public schools follow the state calendar. Banks and the post office follow the federal list, not the state one.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Rhode Island have in 2026?
Rhode Island observes 13 paid holidays for state employees in 2026: 11 federal holidays plus 2 Rhode Island-specific holidays (Victory Day, General Election Day).
What is the next holiday in Rhode Island?
The next holiday in Rhode Island is General Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (4 days away).
Does Rhode Island observe all federal holidays?
Rhode Island observes all 11 federal holidays as paid holidays for state employees, in addition to its own state days.
Are banks and post offices closed on Rhode Island state holidays?
Not necessarily. U.S. Post Offices and the Federal Reserve follow the federal holiday schedule, so they stay open on Rhode Island-only holidays. State offices, courts, DMV branches and many public schools close on state holidays; private businesses set their own policy.